Device for the generation and use of multi-layered text

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method for producing a multi-layer text, including: providing a text, selecting a value of a text dimension to the text segment, wherein a text dimension refers to any desired domain and includes information on one related text layer. The method further includes: repeating the specified operations as many times as desired.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the general field of text manipulation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Texts displayed for reading by means of currently available techniquesare “flat” texts. In other words, any alteration in the text involvesdeleting a letter, word, sentence or paragraph and replacing them with adifferent letter, word, sentence or paragraph, or adding text andintegrating it into the basic text. As a result, the display or printingof the result constitutes effectively, a new text. The displayed orprinted result does not preserve or reflect the change and developmentof the basic text.

In many application is, it is desired to reflect information expressedin several dimensions, e.g. the text that is relevant to specific dateor period. Typical example being the law text. The Law undergoesrevisions from time to time, and an advocate involved in a lawsuit thatrefers to events that had occurred at a given period in the past should,preferably, have a convenient means for reviewing the language of thelaw and regulations that were relevant to the specific dates underconsideration. The advocate is not interested in later revisions. Inother words, the user or advocate would like to have a convenient meansfor displaying a given “layer” of the text which is of interest.

As will be explained in greater detail below, whilst the example aboveillustrated selection of layer of interest according to time dimension,(i.e. displaying a layer of text which is valid for a given time), otherdimensions may be of interest either separately or in combination, e.g.displaying in parliament records, only the text layer that relates to agiven spokesperson.

There is, accordingly, a need in the art for providing a convenientmeans for introducing and displaying layers of text according toselected dimension or dimensions.

Glossary:

There follows a glossary of terms that are used in the specification,some of which are conventional and others have been coined.

Dimension—A variable applied to a text segment, which includesinformation on one related level. The dimensions are not limited indefinition, quantity or number of assigned values per text segment. Anunlimited number of dimensions and values can be defined, meaning thatthe dimension will serve a great number of terms. The dimensions do nothave to be defined for every text segment. A text segment that has nodefined dimension will be a non-dimensional text segment.

There follows typical, yet not exclusive, types of dimensions:

-   -   A. Dimension of time—the variable that defines the validity in        time of a given text segment.    -   B. 25 Dimension of place—the variable that defines the place        where the text was created, occurred, is relevant to, etc.    -   C. Spokesperson dimension—the variable that defines the text of        a given spokesperson.    -   D. Reference Dimension: a variable that defines the source of        text and serves as reference to the text segment under question.        Thus, for example, when a given text segment in a patent        document originates from a given scientific publication (e.g. a        publication from the IEEE gazette), the reference dimension that        is applied to the text segment in the patent is assigned with        the value of the specified scientific publication.

Those versed in the art will readily appreciate that the dimension is byno means bound by the latter examples and, in fact, dimension may referto any desired domain of subject. Thus, by way of non-limiting example,in a play script, a dimension may refer to passages with, say, tragic(first value) or comic (second value) connotations.

As will be explained in greater detail below, different dimensions mayrefer to the same text segment.

It should be noted that the dimension and value thereof do notnecessarily form an integral part of the text. Thus, for example, thetext segment, “inner-city fare is 200 shekels”, may be assigned with thevalue, “Tel Aviv” of the place dimension, without that value being partof the text segment.

A text segment may vary from the smallest unit (i.e. word), to anydefined text portion (e.g. sentence, a few words, paragraph, etc). Itshould be noted that a text segment is not confined to any particularlinguistic syntax structure.

-   2. Dimension Value—A quantitative value in the definition range that    a dimension receives for a text segment, or in other words, the    value of a given text.-   3. Range of Values—The range of values that a dimension may receive.    This is of particular relevance to text retrieved.-   4. Status of the dimension value—The status of the given value is    either valid or invalid. Put differently, for various types of    dimensions, there need not necessarily be a valid value.-   5. Text segment—The text portion to which a dimension variable is    assigned.-   16. Text—Information that is saved in a given format, and is    constructed of text segments.-   7. Word—A chain of characters separated by dividers on both sides    (valid dividers, punctuation marks or a space).-   8. Type of value continuity—Defines the behavior of values in the    dimension. The permitted types of continuity are as follows:    -   First type: There may and must only be one valid value that is        assigned to a given dimension. The beginning time (say date) of        the unit of a new value will cause the former value to close on        the specified date minus 1. Time dimension is an example of a        first type, seeing that applying an opening date to a segment        necessarily entails that the previous text segment expired one        day before. Of course, the time dimension is not bound to date        and may refer to a different time unit say second, minute,        decade etc.    -   Second type: There are various dimensions that may have either        valid or invalid values.

Practically speaking, there are various functions that may be appliedwhen editing a text so as to constitute a multi-layer text, including:

-   -   Insert—A function used to insert a text segment into a certain        place in the text. This requires to assign dimensions and values        to the newly inserted text segment.    -   End—End actually corresponds to “deletion” of text. The text is        not actually deleted, but rather the dimension thereof is        rendered invalid.    -   Author Correction—Enables to correct text (e.g. editorial        errors) without affecting the dimension. In other words, the        same value of a given dimension applies to the text before and        after Author corrections were effected.

Those versed in the art will readily appreciate that the specifiedfunctions may be modified and/or others may be added, all as required anappropriate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As specified before, according to prior art, text is displayed in a“flat” (i.e. single layer) form, and reflects the last update. Accordingto the invention, text layering is accomplished by assigning the valueof a desired dimension to a selected text segment. As defined above,“dimension”stands for e.g. time, spokesman etc. Thus, by way of example,a given text segment, say a passage in the law, is valid from Jan. 1,1983 and expires on Dec. 31, 1992. In this example, the text dimensionis the time dimension, and the period Jan. 1, 1983 to Dec. 31, 1992stands for the value range of said time dimension.

Accordingly, the invention provides for a computer-implemented method ofproducing a multi-layer text, comprising

-   -   (a) providing a text;    -   (b) selecting a text segment;    -   (c) assigning a value or value range of a text dimension to said        text segment, wherein a text dimension refers to any desired        domain and includes information on one related text layer;    -   (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) as many times as desired.

The present invention further provides for a system that includesdisplay unit for producing multi-layer text, comprising:

-   -   (i) a selector for selecting a text segment in said text;    -   (ii) an assignor for assigning a value of a text dimension to        said text segment, wherein a text dimension refers to any        desired domain and includes information on one related text        layer; and    -   (iii) memory for storing the multi-layer text.

As specified above, text dimension is selected from the group thatincludes e.g. time, place, spokesperson and reference dimension. Otherdimensions may be used, all as required and appropriate.

If desired, after generating the multi-layer text, it may be displayedpreferably (although not necessarily), in a manner where each differentvalue of a given text dimension is displayed in unique manner, e.g. in adifferent color.

Accordingly, there is provided for use with a multi-layer text of thekind specified, a computer-implemented method for displaying a text ofinterest, comprising:

-   -   (a) providing at least one input value or input value range of        at least one text dimension; and    -   (b) retrieving and displaying text segments having assigned        thereto a value that meets said input value, or input value        range.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding, the invention will now be described, by wayof example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a generalized block diagram of a system according tothe invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a generalized sequence of operationfor producing a multi-layer text according to one embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of a generalized sequence of operationfor retrieving and displaying text of interest in a multi-level text ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Attention is first directed to FIG. 1, illustrating a generalized blockdiagram of a system according to the invention. As shown, the system (1)includes a processor (2) coupled to memory (4) and to display (6). Theprocessor, memory and display may be any of commercially availabledevices, e.g. a conventional P.C. running an Intel® based processor, andrunning a Windows® based operating system. This is, of course, anexample, and any architecture which provides one or more processorscoupled to at least one display device and to at least one memory, issuitable for the invention. The processor is loaded from the memory witha suitable program and an input text for producing a multi-layer textaccording to the invention.

The generalized sequence of operation for producing the multi-layer textof the invention is illustrated in the flow chart of FIG. 2. whichbasically includes the following sequence:

-   -   (a) providing a text (21);    -   (b) selecting a text segment (23);    -   (c) assigning value of a text dimension to said text segment        (25);    -   (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) as many times as desired        (27,29).

There follows an example (Table I) which illustrates the resultingmulti-layer text.

TABLE I Dimen. Dimen No. Text Segment Time Values Place Values 1Inner-city bus Begin-01.01.75 Tel- fare is End-~ Aviv London 2 Two liraBegin-01.01.75 Tel Aviv End-31.12.79 3 Half pound Begin-01.01.75 LondonEnd-31.12.80 4 One hundred Begin-01.01.80 Tel-Aviv End-31.12.83 5 TwoBegin-01.01.81 London End-31.12.89 6 Half shequel Begin-01.01.84Tel-Aviv End-31.12.84 7 One hundred Begin-01.01.85 Tel-Aviv and fiftyEnd-31.12.86 8 1.5 new Begin-01.01.87 Tel-Aviv End-31.12.89 9. ThreeBegin-01.01.90 Tel Aviv End-~ London

As shown in the specified example, only two dimension types areutilized. i.e. time dimension and place dimension.

TABLE II Time Dimensions Dimension Place Resulting Text Begin-01.01.75Tel Aviv Inner city bus fare is two lira End-31.12.79 Begin-01.01.75London Inner city bus fare is half pound End-31.12.80 Begin-01.01.80 TelAviv Inner city bus fare is one End-31.12.83 hundred lira Begin-01.01.81London Inner city bus fare is two pounds End-31.12.89 Begin-01.01.84 TelAviv Inner city bus fare is half a End-31.12.84 shequel Begin-01.01.85Tel Aviv Inner city bus fare is one End-31.12.86 hundred and fiftyshequels Begin-01.01.87 Tel Aviv Inner city bus fare is 1.5 NewEnd-31.12.89 Shequels Begin-01.01.90 Tel Aviv Inner city bus fare isthree New End-~ Shequels Begin 01.01.90 London Inner city bus fare isthree End-~ pounds

Attention is now directed to FIG. 3 illustrating a flow chart of ageneralized sequence of operation for retrieving and displaying (33)text of interest in a multi-layer text of the invention. As shown, themulti-layer text of the kind specified enables to retrieve and display atext of interest by, generally, following the steps:

-   -   (a) providing at least one input value, or input value range, of        at least one dimension; and    -   (b) retrieving and displaying text segments having assigned        thereto each value or value range that meets said input value or        input value range.

Considering, the example of Table II above, an illustrative query couldbe “How much does an inner-city bus ride cost on the date (03 10 1981)in a certain city”?

The relevant input values are, of course, 03 10 1981 (time dimension)and Tel Aviv or London (place dimension). What remains to be done is toretrieve the text segment that corresponds to the specified inputvalues, i.e. two pound in London (since 03 10 1981 falls in the range of01 01 1981–31.12.89) and one hundred lira in Tel-Aviv (since 03 10 fallsin the range of 01 01 1980–31 12 1983).

As clearly shown in Table II, a text segment need not necessarily beassigned one value. Thus, in FIG. 2, the same text segment is associatedwith two values belonging to time and place dimensions, respectively.

There follows an example which will assist in clarifying the so called“second type” of continuity:

Thus, if there is a dimension that shouldn't have a value all the time,and it can have more than one value at a given time period, likeemployment for example (one is not always employed), then each validityperiod of any value should contain start and termination of validity,for example:

The next sentence is part of a text that has the employment dimension;the values are as follows:

Validity Text validity begins terminates I am Jan. 01, 1990 ~ not Dec.21, 1995 Feb. 24, 1996 employed Jan. 01, 1990 ~ by Jan. 01, 1990 Dec.20, 1995 Feb. 25, 1996 ~ Firm A Jan. 01, 1990 Dec. 20, 1995 Firm B Feb.25, 1996 Mar. 20, 1998 & Jan. 20, 1998 Mar. 20, 1998 Firm C Jan. 20,1998 ~

Now if one looks how the text is present at different periods, one cansee that:

-   1. The text will appear as of Jan. 1, 1990: I am employed by firm A.-   2. The text will appear as of Jan. 1, 1996: I am not employed.-   3. The text will appear as of Jan. 1, 1990: I am employed by firm A    & firm B.

The behavior of the employment dimension values is as follows:

Value 01/90 02/90 12/95 01/96 02/96 03/96 12/97 01/98 02/98 03/98 04/98Firm A ++++ ++++ +++ + + Firm B ++++ ++++ ++++ ++++ +++ + + + + + Firm C++++ ++++ ++++ + + + +

As clearly shown, there is no value in the period of 21/12/1995 until25/02/1996, and there is multi-value in the period between 20/10/1998until 20/03/1998.

With this example, the idea that a dimension need not necessarily have avalid value at all times is demonstrated.

Those versed in the art will readily appreciate that there are multiplemanners of displaying text of interest, and three out of many possiblevariants are discussed below.

-   1. Define a requested value (value range) dimension of a text    segment. If, for example, a dimension of time in an updated law text    is sought, the law in force at any requested date X will be    displayed. The retrieval program, based on the input values, will    automatically choose all text segments that correspond to the    criterion of: expiration_date=X, and only the requested segment(s)    will be displayed.-   2. Display text chances according to different values of the same    dimension. If all changes made in a selected passage of text during    the period Y are of interest, the display program will automatically    select all segments concerning the chosen text and display them e.g.    as a set of windows, a separate window for each segment. It is,    thus, possible to see the modification of the information along the    selected dimension (in this case, the dimension of time). When the    dimension is time, it is possible to view the modifications in a    synchronized display and examine the changes made on a specific date    throughout the text. Alternatively, it is possible to select a    diachronic display and see all the alterations made to a certain    segment of the text within a given range of dates. Other variants    are of course, applicable.-   3. A complete visual display. In this case, the text will be marked    with a different color for each period of validity. For example: a    word valid from Jan. 1, 1990, will be printed in color A (the color    assigned to the date Jan. 1, 1990). A word valid from Jan. 1, 1991    will be printed in color B (the color assigned to the date Jan. 1,    1991). If a word colored in A expires on Jan. 1, 1991, it will be    marked with an overstrike in color B (the color chosen for the date    Jan. 1, 1991). By following this technique, the reader will be able    to determine the date on which each word became valid, and the date    on which it ceased to be valid. By viewing the text which is not    marked with an overstrike the reader will be able to read the full    text as at the date of the last update.

As previously mentioned, no hitherto known technique is capable ofconferring additional layering information to a text (e.g. in a simpletext file format), utilizing basically, although not necessarily,standard word processing functions.

The invention enables the recording of text and the provision of textdimensions with various values. According to these values, it ispossible to define text derivatives, and dynamically display themaccording to user demand.

According to the invention, it is possible to review various layers anddimensions that reside in the text.

The invention is by no means bound by any specific implementation foraccomplishing text layers and retrieving information from themulti-layer text. Thus, by way of example, if two adjacent text segmentshave the same value, the system may automatically form the two segmentsinto one segment having a common value. By way of another example, theinvention is not bound by any given user-interface that serves forestablishing multi-layer text or for accomplishing text retrieval.

One, non limiting, example of realizing a time dimension is given below,(where date values reside between the /* . . . */ signs, and wherein Bstands for starting date and E stands for ending date:

-   /*B01.07.1976-E01.01.9999*/ small business entity—“business entity”    which does not employ more than two employees and its turnover in    all business does not exceed-   350,000/*B01.07.1976-E01.08.1979*/ LIRA'S-   200.000/B0.08.1979-E01.04.1983*/-   /*B01.04.1983-E01.01.1987*/800,000/*B01.08.1979-E0 1.01.1987*/    SHEKEL /*B01.01.1987-E01.08.19.88*/50,000-   /*B01.08.1988-E01.04.1989*/60,000/*B01.04.1989-E01.01.1990*/70,000-   /*B01.01.1990-E01.01.1991*/85,000-   /*B01.01.1991-E01.10.1991*/100,000-   /*B01.10.1991-E01.01.1993*/120,000-   /*B01.01.1993-E01.01.1994*/130,000-   /*B01.01.1994-E01.01.1995*/150,000-   /*B01.01.1995-E01.01.1996*/170,000-   /*B01.01.1996-E01.01.9999*/185,000/*B01.01.1987-E01.01.9999*/NEW    SHEKEL/*B01.07.1976-E01.01.9999*/,

The specified example is parsed to the following information (presentedas a table)

Effective The relevant text Effective to from small business entity -“business entity which 1.1.9999 1.7.1976 does not employ more than twoemployees and its turnover in all business does not exceed 350,0001.8.1979 1.7.1976 LIRA’S 1.8.1979 1.7.1976 200,000 1.4.1983 1.8.1979800,000 1.1.1987 1.4.1983 SHEKEL 1.1.1987 1.8.1979 50,000 1.8.19881.1.1987 60,000 1.4.1989 1.8.1988 70,000 1.1.1990 1.4.1989 85,0001.1.1991 1.1.1990 100,000 1.10.1991 1.1.1991 120,000 1.1.1993 1.10.1991130,000 1.1.1994 1.1.1993 150,000 1.1.1995 1.1.1994 170,000 1.1.19961.1.1995 185,000 1.1.9999 1.1.1996 NEW SHEKEL 1.1.9999 1.1.1987

The updated text for 1.1.1998, reads as follows:

-   -   small business entity—“business entity” which does not employ        more than two employees and its turnover in all business does        not exceed 185,000 new shekels.

It should be noted that the order of steps recited in the claims isprovided for convenience of explanation only and should by no means beregarded as binding.

The present invention has been described with a certain degree ofparticularity but it should be understood that various modifications andalterations may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention as defined by the following claims:

1. A computer-implemented method for producing a multi-layer text,comprising: (a) providing a text; (b) selecting a text segment; (c)assigning a value of a text dimension to said text segment, wherein atext dimension refers to any desired domain and includes information onone related text layer; (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) as many times asdesired.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said text dimension isselected from the group that includes time, place, spokesperson andreference.
 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising thestep of displaying said multi-layer text, such that different values ofa text dimension are displayed in unique manner.
 4. The method accordingto claim 3 wherein each one of said values is displayed in a differentcolor.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said values areassigned to said text segment using at least one of the followingfunctions: INSERT, END, AUTHOR CORRECTION.
 6. A memory medium containinga file that includes a multi-layer text generated according to themethod of claim
 1. 7. For use with a multi-layer text, the multi-layertext having text segments assigned with values of text dimensions,wherein a text dimension refers to any desired domain and includesinformation on one related text layer; a computer-implemented method fordisplaying a text of interest, comprising: (a) providing at least oneinput value, or input value range, of at least one text dimension; and(b) retrieving and displaying text segments having assigned thereto avalue that meets said input value or input value range.
 8. The method ofclaim 7, wherein said text dimension is selected from the group thatincludes time, place, spokesperson and reference.
 9. The method of claim7, wherein said retrieval includes displaying a requested value or valuerange of a text dimension of a text segment.
 10. The method of claim 7,wherein said retrieval includes displaying text changes according todifferent values of the same text dimension.
 11. The method of claim 7,wherein said retrieval includes a complete visual display.
 12. A systemthat includes a display unit for producing multi-layer text, comprising:(i) a selector for selecting a text segment in said text; (ii) anassignor for assigning a value of a text dimension to said text segment,wherein a text dimension refers to any desired domain and includesinformation on one related text layer; and (iii) a memory for storingthe multi-layer text.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein said textdimension is selected from the group that includes time, place,spokesperson, reference.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein saiddisplay unit is capable of displaying said multi-layer text, such thatdifferent values of a text dimension are displayed in a unique manner.15. The system according to claim 14, wherein each one of said values isdisplayed in a different color.
 16. The system of claim 12, wherein saidvalues are assigned to said text segment using at least one of thefollowing functions: INSERT, END, AUTHOR CORRECTION.
 17. For use with amulti-layer text having text segments assigned with values of textdimensions wherein a text dimension refers to any desired domain andincludes information on one related text layer, a system for displayinga text of interest, comprising: i. a receiver for receiving at least oneinput value or input value range of at least one text dimension; and ii.a retriever for retrieving and displaying text segments having assignedthereto a value that meets said input value or input value range. 18.The system of claim 17, wherein said text dimension is selected from thegroup that includes time, place, spokesperson and reference.
 19. Thesystem of claim 17, wherein said retrieval includes displaying arequested value, or value range of a dimension of a text segment. 20.The system of claim 17, wherein said retrieval includes displaying textchanges according different values of the same dimension.
 21. The systemof claim 17, wherein said retrieval includes a complete visual display.